B3 Customer Guide

I Am a Permanent Resident How Do I… Apply for U.S. Citizenship?

M-565(August2008)

U.S. citizenship provides many rights, but also involves many responsibilities. Thus, the decision to become a U.S. citizen through naturalization is important. In most cases, a person who wants to naturalize must first be a permanent resident. By becoming a U.S. citizen, you gain many rights that permanent residents or others do not have, including the right to vote. To be eligible for naturalization, you must first meet certain requirements set by U.S. law.

What are the basic requirements to apply for naturalization?

Generally, to be eligible for naturalization you must:

•Beage18orolder;

•Beapermanentresidentforacertainamountoftime (usually5yearsbutlessforsomeindividuals);

•Beapersonofgoodmoralcharacter;

•HaveabasicknowledgeofU.S.historyandgovernment;

•Haveaperiodofcontinuousresidenceandphysicalpresencein theUnitedStates;and

•Beabletoread,write,andspeakbasicEnglish.Thereare exceptions to this rule for someone who:

- Is 55 years old and has been a permanent resident for at least 15years;or

- Is 50 years old and has been a permanent resident for at least 20years;or

-Hasapermanentphysicalormentalimpairmentthatmakes the individual unable to fulfill these requirements.

When can I apply for naturalization?

Youmaybeabletoapplyfornaturalizationifyouareatleast18 years of age and have been a permanent resident of the United States:

•Foratleast5years;or

•Foratleast3yearsduringwhichtimeyouhavebeen,and continue to be, married to and living in a marriage relationship withyourU.S.citizenspouse;or

•WhilecurrentlyservinghonorablyintheU.S.military,withat least 1 year of service, and you apply for citizenship while in the military, or within 6 months of discharge.

Certain spouses of U.S. citizens, and those who served in the U.S. military during a past war or are serving currently in combat may be able to file for naturalization sooner than noted above.

How do I apply for naturalization?

To apply for naturalization, file a Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

Formoreinformationonthenaturalizationprocess,pleaseseeour manual, M-476, A Guide to Naturalization.

If you are in the military and are interested in becoming a U.S. citizen, please see our manual, M-599, Naturalization Information for Military Personnel.

USCIS has educational materials and resources to help you prepare fortheEnglishandU.S.historyandgovernment(civics)tests. At www.uscis.gov, you can find information on how to find Englishclassesinyourarea,andyoucantestyourselfonthecivics questionsyoumaybeasked.

Formoreinformationaboutthenaturalizationprocessand requirements, please visit our website, or call Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283. The N-400, M-476, and M-599 forms are all available on our website.

Key Information Key USCIS forms referenced in this guide

Application for Naturalization

Form #

N-400

A Guide to Naturalization M-476

Naturalization Information for Military Personnel M-599

B3—I Am a Permanent Resident…How Do I…Apply for U.S. Citizenship? M-565 (August 2008) 1

USCIS

•On the Internet at: www.uscis.gov

Formorecopiesofthisguide,orinformationaboutother citizenship and immigration services, please visit our website. Youcanalsodownloadforms,e-filesomeapplications,checkthe status of an application, and more. It’s a great place to start!

Ifyoudon’thaveInternetaccessathomeorwork,tryyourlocal library. If you cannot find what you need, please call Customer Service.

• Customer Service: 1-800-375-5283

•HearingImpairedTDDCustomerService:1-800-767-1833

Other U.S. Government Services–Click or Call

General Information www.usagov.gov 1-800-333-4636

New Immigrants www.welcometoUSA.gov

U.S.Dept.ofState www.state.gov 1-202-647-6575

Disclaimer: This guide provides basic information to help you become generallyfamiliarwithourrulesandprocedures.Formoreinformation,or the law and regulations, please visit our website. Immigration law can be complex, and it is impossible to describe every aspect of every process. You may wish to be represented by a licensed attorney or by a nonprofit agency accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals.

B3—I Am a Permanent Resident…How Do I…Apply for U.S. Citizenship? M-565 (August 2008) 2